“American international Airport Company Chairman Eduardo Eurnekian’s Speech at the “Zvartnots International Airport” New Passenger Terminal Opening

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Serzh Sargsyan

Your Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh Mr. Bako Sahakyan

Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Tigran Sargsyan

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mr. Alberto d'Alotto

Chief of Cabinet at the Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mr. Claudio Rozencwaig

Secretary Engineer Lorenzo Basso and its Committee

President of the Union of Industrialists, Mr. Jose Ignacio de Mendiguren

Honorable Ministers and Members of the Parliament

Dear Compatriots

You are all welcome

In 1991, the newly independentRepublicofArmeniainherited an airport, which was completely ill-equipped to accommodate international traffic.

Moreover, the beautifully designed but inadequately structured complex had undergone the trauma of heavy traffic generated by the tragic earthquake of 1988 and subsequent Karabakh movement, and poor maintenance due to lack of finances.

For a land-locked country likeArmenia, a well-constructed and efficiently-managed airport is a necessity for survival and growth.  We all knew this from the onset.

In 1991, I could not even imagine my involvement in this project of unique national significance.

20 years after, standing here in front of you, I feel much honored to have been part of this great dream and achievement.

Today, I am proud to present to the Republic of Armenia and Armenians around the world an airport, which we can confidently say excels in global terms. When I took the responsibility of rebuilding Zvartnots International Airport, I announced that the Armenian people deserved nothing less than the best.  I knew that my parents would have wanted me to make this pledge.  Throughout the following nine years, I was guided by my announcement.

Today, only a few days before the 20th anniversary of the independence of Armenia, we are delivering an institution that meets the highest industry standards.I must admit that my team and I could not have accomplished this project without the support of the leaders of the Republic of Armenia during the past years.They were all ready and willing to assist every step of the way.  I would like to take a few moments to personally thank:

former and current Presidents, Robert Kocharyan and Serge Sargsyan;former and current Prime Ministers Andranik Margaryan and Tigran Sargsyan;Minister Armen Gevorgyan former Minister Davit Harutyunyan; and members of the Department of Civil Aviation and its current Chairman Artyom Movsisyan.

I would like to take this opportunity to specially thank the Government of theRepublicofArgentina.

We originally developed all of our know-how in airport construction and services industries in Argentina. Through public-private strategic alliances, the Argentine Government fostered and made possible the transfer of Argentine technology to international environments.

I wish to express my deep respect and gratitude towardsArgentinaand its officials.

I also want to thank my team inArgentinaandArmenia. Many of them are standing here around me

They worked tirelessly to deliver what you are seeing today. Thank you.

In a few moments, I will deliver to President Serge Sargsyan the key to Zvartnots airport. This important key will be guarded by him, so that its doors always remain open to the world.

This also means that our compatriots in Armenia, who leave to explore the world, learn from distant experiences, study in foreign institutions or train abroad, will one day return to their homeland and make Mayr Hayastan a better and more prosperous country.

As a member of the Armenian Diaspora in Argentina and inspired by the traditions and values of my ancestors, I personally feel and keep within myself their commitment to our Motherland. I recognize this is a momentous time for Armenia; I am well aware of all the great challenges ahead – political, geographic and economic. 

In this regard, you can be assured that I am ready to provide my total support to every effort that would leadArmeniato a safer, more secure and even brighter future.

In line with this and as the reconstruction ofZvartnotzInternationalAirportreaches its conclusion, I have decided to take on a new mission of particular significance for future generations. 

Several months ago, I launched the One Lap Top Per Child project, which aims at supplying each and every student in Armenia and Karabagh with a computer and Internet access.

The goal of the project is not to only provide computers to students, but rather equip them with an academic tool, accompanied by unlimited access to information, knowledge and educational instruments from all over the world.

The idea is to bring the best of global academia to each and every student.

We have started the program in Karabagh, where teachers will be trained and the first 3,500 computers will be distributed this year.  We hope to roll out as fast as possible in Armenia, with the support of other Armenian organizations and individuals.

Very soon, a significant number of young Armenian will have connectivity with the rest of the world. We are committed to making this spread throughoutArmenia.

But there is more . . .

I am pleased to announce that shortly before leaving Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner confirmed to me that two bilateral Master Technical Cooperation Agreements are completed and ready to be signed by the Governments of Armenia and Argentina.

Argentinawill provideArmeniawith human and technical resources to develop, execute and operate new water supply, distribution and irrigation systems.

These new initiatives will helpArmeniaaccomplish its objective of fully developing its agricultural potential.

The first agreement will extend the services of experts from the Argentine State Water Agency, which manages the drinkable water supply and sewage treatment for the City ofBuenos Aires.

The second agreement is about Agricultural and Livestock Cooperation, which will provide substantive support related to production, innovative technology, rural development, commercialization and promotion of bilateral economic relations in this sector.

Finally, a Memorandum of Cooperation will be signed between the Union of Industrialists of Armenia andArgentina.

Last, but not least, a sincere message to my compatriots in the Diaspora. In tackling the Zvartnots International project, I wanted to build a model for substantial investments in Armenia by Armenian businessmen in the Diaspora. The burden of building the great Hayastan we talked and sang about for decades rests on our shoulders, as much as it does on the people of Armenia.

Looking back at the past ten years, I have only feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, fulfillment and joy.  I encourage the Diaspora to engage with Armenia, face the challenges and meet its historic mission.

Finally, I believe that investing in a conflict zone is a contribution to peace for human kind.

It’s an exercise, which brings various parties together and translates into a vote of confidence for the future. Remembering the past is very important. It is also supremely important to build the future.

I hope Armenia will become the model venue, where Armenians, Argentineans, Americans, Russians and others are able to cooperate and build a better place for mankind.

During my life, I have built many airports and buildings. I have made investments all around the world. I can say one thing for certain. In no other place nor on any other occasion have I felt as much satisfaction and joy as my initiatives inArmenia.

Thank you and success to everyone!